Iraqw, Mbulu in Tanzania

Introduction / History

The Iraqw people, also known as Wambulu, are a Cushitic-speaking ethnic group native to north-central Tanzania. Their language, Iraqw, is part of the South Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic family and is distinct from the Bantu and Nilotic languages spoken by neighboring groups. The Iraqw primarily inhabit the Mbulu Plateau in the Manyara and Arusha regions, including districts such as Mbulu, Babati, Hanang, and Karatu.
Historically, the Iraqw are believed to be descendants of Afro-Asiatic agriculturalists who practiced intensive farming and irrigation in the Great Lakes region. They are associated with the builders of the ancient Engaruka complex, a sophisticated system of stone-walled canals and furrows that mirrors their current agricultural practices. Oral traditions and archaeological evidence suggest that the Iraqw were part of the Stone Bowl cultural complex and may have interacted with early Kalenjin and Sirikwa communities in Kenya's Kerio Valley.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Iraqw are agro-pastoralists, combining crop cultivation with livestock herding. They grow maize, beans, millet, and wheat, and raise cattle, goats, and sheep. Their homeland ranges from highland areas with cooler temperatures to lower savannah regions, which in turn influence both their agricultural cycles and settlement patterns.
Socially, the Iraqw live in tightly knit communities with strong clan affiliations. Their homes are often built in clusters, and extended families share responsibilities in farming and herding. Traditional music, dance, and storytelling are central to Iraqw culture, especially during festivals and rites of passage. Despite modernization, many Iraqw continue to rely on indigenous knowledge systems for farming and medicine.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Christianity is the predominant religion among the Iraqw, with most identifying as Protestant or Catholic. However, traditional beliefs still influence daily life, especially in rural areas. These include ancestral reverence, nature spirits, and ritual practices tied to agriculture and fertility.
While churches are present in most Iraqw communities, syncretism between Christianity and indigenous beliefs is common. Some Iraqw continue to consult traditional healers and spiritual elders for guidance. Biblical literacy varies, and access to Scripture in the Iraqw language remains limited, hindering deeper spiritual engagement.

What Are Their Needs?

The Iraqw people face a range of spiritual and practical challenges, including limited access to discipleship and biblical teaching in their native language, the ongoing need for a complete Bible translation to foster spiritual growth and outreach, and a scarcity of Christian media resources, such as radio broadcasts and films, that hinder exposure to the gospel. Additionally, rural communities grapple with inadequate access to education, healthcare, and clean water, while the need remains for culturally sensitive evangelism that honors Iraqw traditions and communicates the gospel with clarity and respect.

Prayer Points

Pray faithful pastors and evangelists from among them—men and women rooted in God's love—who will disciple believers and plant churches that reflect His grace. Pray for spiritual renewal in those who have grown weary or have mingled tradition with truth; that the Holy Spirit will awaken a vibrant faith.
Intercede for them to heed Christian media—radio, film, and audio Scripture—that God's message may echo across every home and village.
Ask God for holistic transformation in Iraqw communities: for education that uplifts, healthcare that heals, and clean water that sustains.
May God's kingdom come, and may his will be done among the Iraqw, as it is in heaven.
Pray that the Iraqw people would take the Great Commission to heart and compassionately reach Muslims and those involved in ethnic religions with the gospel that frees humankind from sin and death.

Text Source:   Joshua Project